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Challenges in managing very long-term field tests
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30779
Field testing of wood preservatives has been on-going in Petawawa, Ontario, Canada since at least 1937. Many of the treated roundwood posts from these early experiments are still in test, and include preservatives still used today, including creosote, copper naphthenate, pentachlorophenol and CCA. Performance data from selected experiments more than 50 years old are reported and we discuss some of...
R Stirling, D Wong


Establishing the minimum effective penetration of wood preservatives in the refractory heartwood of E. nitens
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30780
Conventional pressure treatment of many Australian hardwoods results in little to no penetration of heartwood and a non-uniform envelope treatment of <5 mm surrounding a mostly untreated core. This is a major issue for many of the low durability plantation hardwood timbers that are grown in Tasmania, which contain high percentages of heartwood. Long term studies on softwoods such as spruce decking...
J R Vargas, J J Morrell, L Yermán, K C Wood


Long-term field performance of a carbon-based preservative in ground contact test conditions
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30781
Carbon-based preservatives have demonstrated reasonable long-term field performance in above ground testing. This study examines the performance of a carbon-based preservative formulation containing quaternary ammonium compounds and tebuconazole as a treatment for three softwood species exposed in ground contact at two sites in Canada. The treatment was associated with improved decay resistance an...
C Wilson, J Zhang, R Stirling


A novel wood preservative with vegetal extracts-cypermethrin mixture protects H2-weathered envelope-treated tropical hardwood kempas against Coptotermes termites
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30794
In accordance with sustainability development initiatives by commercial wood protection to conceive of cost-effective, environmentally acceptable wood treatment solutions replacing traditional biocides, this paper reports an aboveground subterranean termite test of termite-susceptible heartwood blocks of the tropical (Malaysian) structural hardwood kempas (Koompassia malaccensis) envelope-treated ...
D Messaoudi, A H H Wong


Envelope wood protection against subterranean termites under H2-hazard class tropical environment by a new generation wood preservative with vegetal extracts-cypermethrin mixtures
2023 - IRG/WP 23-30795
Wood protection industries in progressive economies globally are compelled to develop cost-effective, environmentally acceptable wood treatment solutions for long term carbon storage in wood materials/products while appealing to consumer demands for low environmental impact treated wood. A new generation wood preservative, based in part on 2% vegetal extracts and 0.16% cypermethrin components, has...
D Messaoudi, A H H Wong


Longitudinal tensile shear properties of polyurethane-bonded preservative-impregnated Eucalyptus grandis laminates subjected to varied simulated climatic conditions
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40967
Bonding process adaptations have yielded improvements in the adhesive bonding of Eucalyptus grandis wood for manufacturing hardwood laminates. However, there are still concerns over the adhesive-bond performance, particularly preservative-impregnated E. grandis laminates, under exposure to varying climatic conditions. These concerns could limit the implementation of E. grandis laminates, especiall...
A A Alade, C B Wessels


Through-boring to improve the performance of low durability Eucalyptus species for utility poles: 10-year field test results of pole stubs exposed in Southeast Queensland
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40972
An impending shortage of naturally durable hardwood electricity pole timbers in Australia has encouraged investigation of alternatives containing less durable, untreatable heartwood. Through-boring or drilling holes perpendicular to the long axis before treatment, has been used successfully on refractory softwood poles in North America and might have application in Australia. The use of through-bo...
J Norton, L P Francis, J J Morrell


Effects of preservative impregnations on wettability and surface free energy properties of Eucalyptus grandis wood
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40978
Wettability and surface free energy (SFE) are crucial parameters for evaluating the adhesion thermodynamics of solid surfaces. Hence, this study investigated the effects of copper azole (CA) and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT) preservative impregnations on Eucalyptus grandis wood wettability and SFE. Wettability was determined in terms of contact angles with polar (water) and non-polar (dii...
A A Alade, C B Wessels, H Stolze, H Militz


Evaluation of the effectiveness of soaking of high-temperature plywood in low-temperature oil-based wood
2023 - IRG/WP 23-40991
We conducted a preliminary investigation to determine if soaking high-temperature plywood in a low-temperature preservative solution could achieve deeper penetration of the preservative, even in plywood made with refractory wood species such as Japanese larch. Specimens cut from commercial plywood (Japanese larch) were stored at various temperatures before being soaked in the preservative solution...
T Miyauchi, S Isaji, H Shibui, N Furuta, J Miyazaki, H Matusnaga


Recent experiences in the protection of wooden cultural heritage in Europe with a novel wood preservative with vegetal extracts–permethrin-azole mixture
2023 - IRG/WP 23-11027
The paper presents recent treatment experiences in Europe for the preservation of cultural heritage with the bio-based gel-emulsion solution XILIX® containing SYNERKEM® technology, whose higher diffusion capacity has been proven (up to 8 mm pyrethroid penetration into the wood). This gel-emulsion is already authorized and marketed as preventive and remedial wood preservative in Europe for more t...
D Messaoudi, A Robert, A H H Wong


X-ray fluorescence microscopy of copper ion distribution in decay of copper-treated wood by Fibroporia radiculosa
2024 - IRG/WP 24-11047
Copper is an essential metal ion for eukaryotic life and must strictly be regulated as excess levels can cause oxidative damage, enzyme inhibition and denaturation, interruptions in nutrient transport and even cellular death. Copper-based wood treatments have efficacy against a wide range of biological organisms including decay fungi and are used in the majority of preservative formulations for ou...
K M Ohno, J Jakes, A B Bishell, L Li, Q Jin, E Maxey


X-ray micro-computed tomography of copper distribution in CA, ACQ and MCA treated wood and changes in microstructure of ACQ-treated southern pine following natural weathering
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20707
We hypothesized that X-ray micro-CT would be able to visualize: (a) the distribution of copper in CA-treated southern pine; and (b) microstructural changes in ACQ-treated southern pine exposed to natural weathering. Small blocks were removed from southern pine samples treated with CA and also southern pine treated with ACQ and MCA. Small blocks were also removed from ACQ-treated boards (flat and p...
D Feng, M Turner, P D Evans


Benefits of borate dual treatment
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20710
Treatment of railroad ties with borate followed by over-treatment with creosote or copper naphthenate, called dual treatment, has become standard practice for ties being installed in higher decay hazard areas of the U.S. This paper provides an overview of why that has happened. Borate preservative presents very low human health and environmental risk. It diffuses through even hard to treat hear...
S T Smith, J D Lloyd, S McKinney


Why preserved wood is used for infrastructure
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20711
This article provides an overview of the reasons why preservative-treated wood, and creosote-treated wood in particular, products have been and continue to be selected for the infrastructure of civilization. Wood is a remarkable and renewable building material, offering high strength, light weight, flexibility, and availability. Preservation by creosote treatment adds great durability to the woo...
S T Smith


Virtual reality of wood protection
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20727
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows people to explore and interact with computer generated environments using devices that stimulate different senses (sight, sound and touch). VR is mainly used for education, training and entertainment, but it also has the potential to provide new insights into scientific phenomena. We describe our work on the use of VR as a learning tool for students...
D Feng, Y Liu, M Turner, A Limaye, P D Evans


Preservative properties of boron-treated paulownia wood
2024 - IRG/WP 24-20729
This research was performed to investigate the preservative retention properties of paulownia wood treated using boric acid/borax at mass ratio of 1:1.8. Different portion of paulownia wood (top, middle, bottom) were used as a sample throughout of this study. In the treatment process, the paulownia wood was dipped in the 1% boric acid/borax solution for 1, 24, 72, 120 and 240 hours to achieve requ...
T Khadiran, M A M Abdullah, S Lipeh


Field test method for wood in above ground situation - The full CEN/TC 38 guideline for the Sandwich method. Part 1 - Determining the relative protective effectiveness of a wood preservative
2024 - IRG/WP 24-41013
The attached draft CEN Technical Specification (i.e. pre-EN standard) has been drafted in order to become an alternative to the Lap-Joint test method (EN 12037:23) for testing of wood in above ground situation and the draft CEN/TS Part 1 is specifically intended for determining the relative protective effectiveness of a wood preservative. The new draft CEN/TS is based on a test method developed by...
M Westin, R Ringman, A Christof, F Friese


Keeping wood greenest: Maximizing the unique benefits of preserved wood through end-of-life planning to realize carbon sequestration and a circular economy
2024 - IRG/WP 24-50387
While competitive fuels and different energy sources are a main driver of current difficulties with using end-of-life wood products for fuel, that is a potentially smaller problem than the rapidly changing carbon footprints of competitive materials, which can potentially be smaller than wood, if the wrong decisions are made at the end of life by users and waste generators. While users have several...
J D Lloyd, B Poe


Quantifying metal migration from a deck constructed with copper-azole-treated lumber
2024 - IRG/WP 24-50391
Soluble copper or micronized copper wood preservatives are the most common available wood preservative systems for residential applications in the United States. Copper containing wood preservatives have been scrutinized for their potential negative impacts on the environment, across many jurisdictions. Concerns arise from the potential for preservatives to migrate out of treated wood upon water e...
G Presley, M Konkler


Performance of Chromated Copper Arsenic Treated and Untreated Papua New Guinea Timber Species in Marine Exposure after 95 weeks (664 days)
2025 - IRG/WP 25-11062
A Masters’ thesis on the topic was successfully completed and submitted in September 2024. The thesis reports on results obtained from exposure of five Papua New Guinea (PNG) timber species (obtained from secondary growth or plantation grown) after 218 days (31 weeks) in a marine environment in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia. The species studied were: Hopea iriana (Hopea, heavy), Vitex cofas...
E Galore, J Norton, T Singh


Mitigating the risk of decay in CLT buildings affected by trapped construction moisture using a diffusible borate preservative
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20735
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is also known as a mass timber construction material. It is fabricated by gluing together multiple layers of timber lamellae with each layer oriented perpendicular to the one below it. This enhances strength, stability and dimensional rigidity. CLT is seen as an excellent ‘low carbon’ alternative to using steel and concrete and is growing in popularity as a sustain...
J R Williams


Transmission poles - Analysis of causes of premature failure in Slovenia
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20745
The study focuses on analysing the causes of the premature collapse of wooden transmission poles in Slovenia, where there have been several cases of rapid fungal decomposition of poles despite the planned lifespan of 30 to 50 years. The poles were made of Scots pine wood and impregnated with a copper-ethanolamine wood preservative. The research aimed to assess the condition of standing poles and e...
M Humar, B Lesar, N Kregar, S Drnovšek


Evaluation of 'Deep Penetration Treatment' for wood preservation
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20746
‘Deep Penetration Treatment’ (DPT) is a recently developed wood preservation technique in Japan designed to meet the preservation standards required for residential foundations. This method involves spraying a specially formulated solvent-borne wood preservative onto properly incised dried lumber. Despite being a non-pressure treatment, DPT achieves penetration levels comparable to conventiona...
M Ikeda, T Shigeyama, Y Sugai


Influence of incising methods and wood moisture content on ‘deep penetration treatment’ in Japanese cedar and larch
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20749
To expand applicability of ‘deep penetration treatment’, a solvent-borne and non-pressure treatment that is commonly coupled with roller-type incising using a flat blade, we investigated drill and laser machining as alternative incising methods and examined the influence of wood moisture content on the preservative penetration. Various incising methods were applied to heartwood of Japanese ced...
S Taira, T Miyauchi, S Isaji, H Matsunaga


NTR classified preservative-treated laminated wood
2025 - IRG/WP 25-20750
NTR is a trusted quality labelling system used for the classification and quality control of wood products that have been treated with preservatives or modified. These labels are issued by the Nordic Wood Preservation Council (NWPC) and in recent years, producers of glued laminated timber as well as building material suppliers have shown increasing interest in NTR classification for glued laminate...
J Jermer, F Westin, R Digaitis


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